Diallo Breaks Down Rutgers Commitment

Sam Hellman

02/10/2014

Winston Salem (N.C.) Quality Education Academy center Ibrahima Diallo committed to Rutgers and coach Eddie Jordan Monday night. Diallo is a three-star center that took his official visit in November. He is the fourth piece of the 2014 recruiting class.

Rutgers signed three prospects early, and picked up a strong fourth commit of 2014 with the addition of three-star center Ibrahima Diallo. The Winston Salem (N.C.) Quality Education Academy center checks in at 6-foot-10, and made the call to coach Eddie Jordan Monday night.

Diallo picked Rutgers after Greg Whittington did not enroll for January and a space opened in the post.

"It was really exciting because everybody knows about coach Eddie Jordan," Diallo said. "He's a great coach, and I can't wait for him to be my coach. It was great to call him and tell him that I was committing to his school. It was a big moment for me."

Diallo was an official visit for a November loss to William & Mary. Freshman Junior Etou, now entrenched as a starter, was his host.

"I liked the team and the school, and especially I liked coach Jordan," Diallo said. "I like the way he coaches. I liked the players and the staff and everything. I really felt comfortable like it was my home."

Diallo held offers from Oklahoma, Massachusetts and Old Dominion during the recruiting process. He cited his official visit to Rutgers as the highlight of his recruitment.

The 2014 commit will sign this spring and enroll for summer classes.

"I'm really excited for this," Diallo said. "I feel like I have a good opportunity to succeed in basketball and in the classroom. I feel like this is going to be a good experience.

"It's most definitely a burden off my shoulders. Everybody has questions about where they are going to go, and now I can say that I'm more focused on what's next. I'm happy."